Picturing Success: David Morris calls accountability the key to healthy changes

David Morris lost 160 pounds with Medical Weight Loss Clinic.

David Morris lost 160 pounds with Medical Weight Loss Clinic.

It’s taken him a few tries to zero in on what works best for him, but Medical Weight Loss Clinic patient David Morris knows that after he completes his program, accountability is key to his successfully maintaining his 135-pound weight loss.

“I’m one of those people who’s really good at losing weight; it’s keeping it off that’s the struggle, so I’ve gone back on the program two or three times,” he said. Starting at just under 300 pounds, he’d initially lost 127 pounds in 13 months. “I would go on maintenance but then I’d start to struggle, especially around the holidays.” 

He said would quit going for check-ins and justify it by saying he was too busy for them. And sometimes, the fact that he was regaining weight and falling into old eating habits made him feel too embarrassed to check in, until he would decide that he had gained so much he needed to go back on the program.

“I’ve learned over time, I need to go (check in) a minimum of three days a week, regardless,” he said.

Now 65, David’s weight loss over the last five years inspired others around him. A few people he knows have joined MWLC, and one friend even helps him stay accountable because David drives him to the Warren clinic each week. 

For David, a goal-oriented person, it was key that he started to look at maintaining a weight of 160 pounds as his goal rather than only hitting that weight.

“The challenge wasn’t so much the lifestyle change to lose the weight, it’s the lifestyle change not to gain it back,” he said, “and I’m somebody who it’s taken several years to figure that out and make it work. And I was able to do that because I stay close to the clinic.” 

David Morris demonstrates how much fat he actually lost.

David Morris demonstrates how much fat he actually lost.

He’s motivated to keep the weight off because he doesn’t want to have to re-lose pounds he’s already taken off again and because he’s gained so much in quality of life.

“I’m very comfortable the cycle has been broken,” he said. 

‘Life was passing me by’

David’s biggest struggles with his weight began 15 years ago when he had an aortic aneurysm and started to crave sweets in a way he never had before. His health issues caused him to leave his law practice after 22 years in the field, and depression and anxiety over his weight set in.  

“I realized life was passing me by. If I kept up what I was doing, I was going to die young,” he said.

He saw a commercial for MWLC and liked that he would be able to buy his own food and use their supplements. He told his wife he could do it, and she said she’d drive him.

“It worked like a charm,” he said of the program. “I’m healthier physically now at the age of 65 than I was at 50. I can do more. I can function physically.”

David was ultimately able to go off multiple high blood pressure medications and more. As the weight came off and he felt better physically and mentally, he was able to cut out the anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds too.

Active Again

Thanks to his weight loss, David has been able to get back to being an active outdoorsman and loves taking backpacking trips around Michigan and beyond. 

“Since I lost all the weight along with a buddy who also got into the program and also lost a substantial amount of weight, we do several backpack trips a year and that’s something that’s totally changed,” he said. “My grandkids live in Utah and Arizona, but when I’m with them, I can keep up with them.”

David was preparing for a backpacking trip at the Grand Canyon in 2019 when he suffered another aneurysm. But he and his doctors credit his healthy weight with recovery being so much easier for him this time around. And although his friend still went to the Grand Canyon while David had to delay, they plan to take the trip in a year or so. It’s yet another motivating factor for David to maintain his weight.

“My life has changed because I have energy and more desire. I’m not depressed over the fact that I can’t do anything and look like I did when I was big. I’m just a much happier person. I’m a real cheerleader for this place.  I really recommend it.” 

If you’re ready to learn how to make lasting changes to help you lose weight and keep it off, schedule your free consultation online or by calling 1-800-GET-SLIM.